[fox3558]

As title, which one to go for?
Which one that you preffer and why? (as in term of driving performance, maintenance cost (petrol vs diesel engine) and overall)

Thanks...

[Taipei-TT]

I have a d. Love it. Great torque and driveability. From inside never know it's a diesel by the sound. 800km on a tank of diesel. In my area, diesel already costs 15% less than gas.

Win all around for the 2.0d for me.

[fox3558]

Originally Posted by Taipei-TT

I have a d. Love it. Great torque and driveability. From inside never know it's a diesel by the sound. 800km on a tank of diesel. In my area, diesel already costs 15% less than gas.

Win all around for the 2.0d for me.

Thanks for the info..
Heard some one saying that diesel engine will get noiser after years? is it true?

[plymjack]

In UK diesel is a bit more than petrol, but the economy of the 2.0d is good.
Ours is 20k miles in and still runs as "quiet" as new, only ever remember its a diesel if I start the car with a window open, it "clatters" into life and then its fine.

Not tried a petrol so cant compare, no doubt a 3.5 petrol goes like stuff of a shovel but the performance of the 2.0d is enough to leave 90% OF cars behind both at the lights and on the motorway

[Chris55]

I would definitely go with the diesel. For a vehicle of that weight the diesel will give you more torque, economy and a more pleasing, relaxing drive.

[PX3]

Originally Posted by plymjack

In UK diesel is a bit more than petrol, but the economy of the 2.0d is good.
Ours is 20k miles in and still runs as "quiet" as new, only ever remember its a diesel if I start the car with a window open, it "clatters" into life and then its fine.

Not tried a petrol so cant compare, no doubt a 3.5 petrol goes like stuff of a shovel but the performance of the 2.0d is enough to leave 90% OF cars behind both at the lights and on the motorway

@plymjack - I agree that once the X3 has gathered speed you can't really tell it's a diesel, but do you not find when pulling away the diesel noise can be quite obvious? Have you owned several diesels and therefore use to the noise maybe?
The reason I say that, is because I recently purchased an X3 and do find it fairly obvious that its a diesel in the cabin (with the windows shut) and therefore interested to compare to other users.

[ianfp]

Originally Posted by Petex3

@plymjack - I agree that once the X3 has gathered speed you can't really tell it's a diesel, but do you not find when pulling away the diesel noise can be quite obvious? Have you owned several diesels and therefore use to the noise maybe?
The reason I say that, is because I recently purchased an X3 and do find it fairly obvious that its a diesel in the cabin (with the windows shut) and therefore interested to compare to other users.

I previously had a nice smooth 6 cylinder petrol and the diesel X3 is very much noisier. This is particularly evident when pulling away and when the engine is not under load or just idling. Having said that, I am getting used to the sound of the engine and I actually really like the noise it makes when the turbo kicks in and the engine is loaded.

[plymjack]

My other car is a diesel so I guess Im conditioned to it now, the noise is certainly more noticeable in the 1.6d 207sw then the X3. In the X3 with the windows shut I really dont notice much if at all.

This is our first BMW so I do understand that those who have had others may have a different experience. - wait till you try the i3 or the Hybrid 3 series... no noise! now that is weird!

[PX3]

I think that's why I notice it more as I drive a petrol every day and my wife has the X3, so when I get to drive it I guess it tends to be more noticeable.
Having said that when I got back in to it yesterday after driving it to work, it didnt seem as obvious, so maybe I should drive it more

Thanks for the verification though guys, appreciated.

[fox3558]

Thanks guys...seems like diesel engine give some noise but you will get used to it after awhile...

[ianfp]

I am used to mine now and for the benefits in torque and fuel economy, I wouldn't want to swap it for a petrol engine.

[NordicBMW]

The 20D is a bit slower at 0-100 kmh but faster at 60-80 kmh and 80-120 kmh which - for me at least - is much more useful in practice. In my area diesel is also approx 10% cheaper in addition to lower avg fuel consumtion so it really was a no-brainer for me. I also took into consideration that diesels are lower priced here compared with petrols due to lower co2 emission.